Despite an early deficit, the Grove High School boys’ soccer rarely quit fighting in its 5-2 loss to Cascia Hall on May 6 at Father Hamel Field during the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Aiden Fahrenkrog’s left-footed volley set the tone of the game at 29:01 mark as the Commandos grabbed an early 1-0 lead.
Minutes afterward and during a corner kick, junior Casen Brown’s would-be game, tying goal was blocked by a defender on the right side of the goal.
The Commandos then scored three goals during a 16:26 span to expand their lead, 4-0.
With about four minutes remaining until halftime, junior Seth Ottino nearly got the Ridgerunners on the scoreboard when his long shot from the right sideline sailed over the left side of the goal.
Roberto Gomez tallied his second goal of the night only nine seconds into the second half.
“It was a very tough game,” said Jacob Hardesty, GHS head coach. “The magnitude of the game may have intimidated our players at times tonight.”
Grove produced several scoring opportunities during the final 13 minutes, including Ottino’s goal with an assist from Brown at 6:14 mark.
Senior Wes Swingle, with Ottino assisting, added the Ridgerunners’ final score with 4:21 left.
Freshman goalkeeper Chance Herbst recorded eight saves, while Cascia’s keeper logged four.
It marked the Ridgerunners’ first playoff game in five years and first-ever postseason berth in Class 5A.
